Comments on: numero uno

By: learning2serv

learning2serv — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:39:11 +0000

On a more serious note, this devotion hits home. As a growing servant-leader, I had to really look at my attitude from a visit to the home of some of my friends. What I saw was pretty ugly, and it really dealt with how I saw myself in their lives and “how I would react” to some situations I saw going on because “I got angry” with them.

Oh, spots in my love feast, thy names are arrogance and hubris!

I was gently but firmly reminded that the way up is down. I am grateful the Lord gave me the resolve and opportunity to apologize, and as I was speaking to them, I learned something powerful.

It’s said that you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family. During my apology, I “realized” that Christ gives others to be in our family – sometimes directly.

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. (Joh 19:26-27 NKJV)

Though we are all are part of the “family”, there are those that Christ will give us to and give to us as special charges, as true family. As I realized that, I knew I had to cling to these He had given to me not merely out of duty, but I had to find ways to love them beyond the things I saw. I had to humble myself and figure out how to go beyond my own views.

And (I say this by permission) “What God has joined together, let not man separate”. For God brings people together for His reasons for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

By: learning2serv

learning2serv — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:24:18 +0000

(Laughing)… Dunno Gary. That’s was a neat slide out. Of course, that would be pretty complicated. We could also choose by random number generator (modern day “casting the lot” – aka “roll the dice!”) (smile)

I feel your pain on that one!

By: Gary4orphans

Gary4orphans — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:43:33 +0000

This is kind of a fun exercise. OK, I’m the one in charge of seating and I’ve got my pastor and others coming to the dinner. Well, I would not be going to “his” church if the pastor “allowed” me to put in on the left or right of Jesus. My pastor would recognize the principle of being last and would be appropriately offended if I put him in that awkward situation. I’m having fun here OK? So what to do? I would think putting up tent cards at each seat location with the notation “seating will be assigned by Jesus” would be the way to go. But I am in charge. Great, my decision is to defer the seating order to Jesus. That’s my decision. I get to decide that. My decision is to leave that to Jesus. What’s wrong with that? (Smile)

By: sooski

sooski — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:51:44 +0000

In this world of first is better, it is a struggle to take the best seat offered by Jesus himself – the one next to him, kneeling on the ground serving others. It is there that we can truly live the life God intended for us to live. I want to ask myself the questions at the end of your devotional every day. They are a good heart check for staying on track. Thank you.

By: riri

riri — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:15:53 +0000

This is an awesome devotion! I truly believe in being a servant leader and I try to demonstrate that every day…it’s hard sometimes, but I do. I know that God is able to use me better when I demonstrate this Christlike behavior. Thank you.